Starting device for magneto-electric ignition machines



Jan. 4 1927. 1 9

A. s. L. NEIGHBOUR STARTING DEVICE FOR MAGNETO ELECTRIC IGNITION MACHINES Filed August 2 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 4, 1927.

v A. G. L. NEIGHBOUR I STARTING DEVICE FOR MAG NETO ELECTRIC IGNITION MACHINES Filed August 22, 1922 2 SlIeets-Sheei :1

I 5 ,2 p a i Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

ARTHUR GEORGE LLOYD NEIGHBOUR, OF BRIGHTON, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

STARTING DEVICE FOR MAGNETO-ELECTRIC IGNITION MACHINES.

Application filed August 22, 1922, Serial No.

This invention relates to magneto electric machines, shortly termed magnetos, ordinarily employed for ignition purposes in in ternal combustion engines and more particularly to means whereby intensified currents are generated to ensure satisfactory ignition at starting and when running at low speeds.

Internal combustion engines have inher ently bad starting characteristics, and oftentimes in cranking up several attempts have to be made before an initial explosion is obtained.

In the case of motor cars it is now customary, when starting up, to apply a driving torque to the engine crankshaft by means of an electric motor which is supplied with current from a battery carried on the car.

Even when such means is provided, a considerable interval of time frequently elapses before the engines fire. During this interval a heavy load is thrown on the motor and battery, and the latter especially requires more frequent repair and renewal than it would do if the engine started more promptly.

In this invention a transversely disposed magnetic field is employed, which is capable of rotation relatively to the armature; means being provided whereby at starting the transversely disposed magnetic field is displaced angularly in opposition to a. retrac tive force, which after movement of the field through a predetermined angle has taken place, is rendered capable of action and rapidly rotatessaid field about the armature into its original position. The rapid motion of the transversely disposed field in relationship to the armature brings about a rapid flux change in the armature core and correspondingly effects the generation of powerful currents in the armature windings.

A transversely disposed angularly displaceable magnetic field is provided by mounting auxiliary pole pieces or polar ments in a sleeve of non-n'iagnetic metal, hereinafter termed the timing sleeve or for brevity the sleeve, which is rotatively fitted in the frame or body-casting of the machine.

The auxiliary pole pieces or polar segments contact closely with fixed pole Dieces or ma netic elements of opposite polarity secured in the frame or body-casting either when the timing sleeve is stationary or when 583,524, and in Australia September 3, 1921.

it is being partially rotated for purposes hereinafter described.

The timing sleeve is detachably fitted in the frame or body-casting and it extends through said frame or casting and projects beyond its front and rear ends.

On the portion of the timing sleeve which projects beyond the rear end of the bodycasting is mounted a releasable element which is adapted, at starting, to partially rotate said sleeve by engagement with a contacting element on the driving shaft of the magneto, or by connection with a coacting element on the timing sleeve itself.

On the opposite end of the timing sleeve, which projects beyond the front end of the body-casting, is n'iounted the cam cage of the interrupter or contact breaker and the tin'iing lever if the latter is provided on the magneto.

In a convenient position on the rear end of the timing sleeve, is located a spring, which at one end bears upon a fixed abutment secured to the body-casting, and at its oppo-' site end contacts with an abutment fixed to and movable with the timing sleeve. The application of a torque to the sleeve angularly displaces the same and distorts the spring and the latter rapidly restores the sleeve to its original position when released from the torque, thereby effecting the generation of high voltage currents as previously indicated.

No spark, however, would occur at an ignition plug unless the primary circuit was interrupted at or about the time the armature occupies a peak voltage position, relatively to the auxiliary pole pieces. Accordingly the sleeve and auxiliary pole pieces are timed to be restored to their original positions synchronously with the arrival of the armature in a peak voltage position and with the separation of the contacts of the contact breaker.

A torque may be applied to the sleeve either by mechanical operation or manually, and in the former case the sleeve is conveniently furnished with pawl, on its rear end which becomes interconnected with ratchet lnen'ibers nioin'ited on ll. aru'iatnre driving shaft.

The sleeve and auxiliary pole pieces are in this manner angularly displaced in oppos tion to said s: ng and they move forwardly h the armature. After the sleeve and i. ions the ontact breaker points are i e and an intense spark at once occurs at the gap of the ignition plug.

it the engine does not immediately startthe pawl hecoine re-engaeed with and again disconnected from the ratchet mei'nhers. and a se ond spark is produced at the plug. l l e c act'ons continue until the engine .rts. and a predetermined speed is mar-lied. whereupon. the pawl is thrown out of action and the magneto operates in tie ordinary way.

the pawl may be thrown out ot lock-rd in an inoperative position ways.

In one arrangen'i nt as the engine accelerates the pawl strikes with increasing: force aga nst the adjustable stop, and finally. it is thrown out of action by the miercentrine' o t a spr'ngr controlled link which attached to it. \Yhen the pawl is again required tor starting purposes it is manually replaced in an operative position.

The speed at which said pawl tax-own out of action may be va ied by adjusting the strength oi the sprin; :ontrollinp; the link or said catch, or by changing the position ot said stop. leripl e 'al :u'ljustment ot said stop is likewise employed to adjust the a ge o t angular movement at the sleeve and .il ary pole pieces titted thereto.

action and in va ious in ano ier arraiuzement the tum-lions oi the pawl are automatcally controlled at starting. and it is normally disposed for en {:aeement witl itriiugally governci'l pivotet. nieinliers mounted on the driving" shaft. The pivoted members are. provided with ratchet teeth which automatically engage with the pawl at starting; and recede from the range ot action thereof when the speed cffcccds a predetermined rate and reappear whe: the s 'ieed tails below that rate.

An object of the invention is to enable a xuanreto to generate cmrei'its for starting purpo es even though the engine is station ary and the armature accordilugly at rest. In order that this may be efi'ected said sleeve and pole pieces are arranged to be rotated by manual oncration relatively to the armature in opposition to the retractive action of sa d spring. After said sleeve and pole pieces have heen moved through an arc o't required magnitiule they are automatically released and are rotated hackwardly with great rapidity by the spring into their normal pos'tions, thereby setting up an intense current in the armature \vindii'igs.

As previously stated no spark will he produced at an ignition plug unless this rurrent is interrupted by separation of the contacts ot' the contact breaker. The contacts aunot be separated in the ordinanv way since both the armature and the contact breaker are stationary.

To enable the contact breaker to t'um-tion under these ctnul 'tions the timing sleeve mechanically connected to the actuating: meml'iers or 'ams ot' the former in such manner that at or about the termination ol tlio movement ot said sleeve :1 separation oi the contacts is ell'ected.

satisfactory mechanical connection can lie eti'ected. "tor this purpose. by esteiuiiu y the timing sleeve to 't'orin a mounting tor raid actuating memhers or cams.

in this manner the sleeve 1; av be a rrau rcd to be connected with the actuating" members or rams at all times. and it will accordingly partake of the advance and retard .'ll()\'( ments ot' said members or cams etlerted hy the (hiring lever of the magneto.

The operat oi'i of the invention is not dependent on the timing adjustment ot the sleeve. and it can he applied to magnetos t rranged tor fixed ignition in which n'ieans "tor etiectingg adjustments is not provided.

The engagement of said pawl with '1 co- :uding element etiected without prelimi nary movement of the timing sleeve and independently o't its timing adjustments. At starting. manual operation of the timing: lever is not required. and said lever can he lett in either a retarded or :ulvanced position. and it may be placed with advantage in the latter position as starting;' is l'lltlQli] tacilitated after the initial explosion has curred.

Means hereiua'tter described are provided vv'herehy the movements oi the H PtH at starting: are etl'ected inde a iulently ol' the timing; lever. and wlmrehy the latter in eli'ectina advance and retard movements auajularly displaces the said sleeve in opposi tion to the spring.

Ilei'erence is had to the drawings illustrating the invention Figure l is a view partly in loiug t'urliiial section and partly in s de elevation of a luae'neto provided with means tor the production of intensified sparks at starting.

l ie'ure 2 is a v iew in end elevation at the rear or driving end of the magneto shewn in Figure l.

l igg ure 3 is a view partly in end elevation at the front or contact breaker end (it the magneto shewn in Figure 1. and partly in v rtical section on the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

loo

lltl

l iu'ui'e l is a view in rear elevatii'in of portion of a magneto shewingr a modilied detail of the construction shown in Figures l. and 2.

1*igures and c are views respectively in vertical section and rear elevation of portion of a magneto shewing an automatically controlled detail of the invention.

Fip iiiies 7 and 8 are views respectively in side elevation and rear elevation of a portion of a magneto showing a manually oper ated detail of the invention.

In these drawings the name ":11 designates a body casting or frame of a magneto having secured thereto field magnets ll which contact with lixed pole pieces 1.2, preferably of laminated structure mounted in the body casting:- it). The body casting 1O made of non-magnetic metal and is provided with flanged ends 13, and the interior thereof is accurately bored to form a cylindrical chaii'iber 14;, open at both ends.

In the chamber 14; is rotatably fitted a hollow cylindrical sleeve 15, likewise made of non-magnetic metal, which projects from the front and rear ends of the body casting 10. Endwise movement of the sleeve l5 in the chamber ll is prevented by an enlarged extension 16 at the front end of said sleeve. and by a cap 17 mounted on the rear end thereof and secured thereto as by screws 18, which are inserted into an iiii'vardly projtililllgl tlaiige 19. formed integrally with said sleeve.

ln the sides of the sleeve 1:") are mounted auxiliary pole pieces 20, likewise preferably laminated. the outer 'ieripl'ieral surfaces of which are closelycontiguous to the fixed pole pieces 12.

Mounted in the flange 19 is a bearing 21 in which is supported a driving shaft 22 of an armature 2, indicated by broken lines in Figure 1 and partly shown in Figures 3 and :3.

The enlarged extension 16 of the sleeve is furnished with a detachable end plate or cover 24-. coi'iveniently fixed to said sleeve by screws which are inserted into lugs 26. lo the end plate 2-4: is mounted a hearing 27 which supports a shaft 28 at the front end of the aru'iature. The shaft 28 projects outwardly from the bearing 27 and has mounted upon it a contact breaker 29.

The, end plate Bl is provided with an extension which forms a cam cage or housing do for the contact breal-Ier 2t). \Vithiu the can] rage Iltl is mounted a rain ring 31 having formed thereon cams 32 which co-act with a tibre heel 23;} fixed in a lever 34. to effect separations of movable and insulated contacts. indicated respectively by numbers 35 and ac. in the ordinary way.

The portion of the cap 17 contiguous to the flange 13 of the body casting 10 is en largged to form an annular chamlier 37 in which is located a helical spring as. The spring on at. one end hears upon an abutment 39 fixed to or carried upon a pin 40 or the like. mounted in said body casting, and the opposite end of said spring iears against an abutment ll lined on a pin 42 seen ed in a boss 4 on the cap 17.

It will be obvious that a torque bringing about rotary movement of the sleeve 15 and cap 1. in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2, will compress the spring between the abutiiients 39 and 4:1, and that said spring when the torque ceases to operate will immediately return said sleeve and cap to their initial position.

Pivetally mounted on a screw 44 or the like. securely lined in the cap 17 is a lever at?) l aving one arm constructed as a pawl 46, which is adapted for engagement with ratchetteeth 4-? formed on a disc &8 keyed o the shaft 22.

if the shaft 22 and disc 48 be rotated the pawl it will, hecome engaged with one of the ratchet teeth 4-7, and it will accordingly he moved forwardly in the direction of mo ticn of the shaft 2.2 carrying with it the cap it" and sleeve l5 and compressing the spring St; described above.

if. when the sleeve 15 has been displaced through an arc of required magnitude and the spring 38 has been sufficiently com-i pressed, the pawl 4-6 is released from the ratchet tooth 47, said spring being rendered free to act will immediately rotate the pawl lo, sleeve 15, auxiliary pole pieces 20, and cap 1? backwardly at high speed into their oi 'ginal positions.

In order that the pawl 16 may be tripped or released when required, an adjustable stop #19 is provided which contacts with an arm 50 ot the lever 15 and thereby disengages said pawl.

The stop 49 is positioned and adjusted so that. the pawl to will he disengaged from the ratchet tooth when the ai'n'iature and in terrupter have moved into a well retarded position wherein the engine piston is at or slightly beyond the end of its compression stroke.

The po iion. wherein the pawl 46 is disi;:( l 'ltfilzl the ratchet tooth el-T. being governed by contact with a lixed iiieiulier. as til, stop -35). the release of the, timing sleeve is invariahle and it will always occur when the armature and interrupter have ai' rived at the same predetermiued retari'led position, thau'el'iy making it impossible for bark-tiring to occur.

The time of release of the timing: sleeve l5 constant and it will be unatfected whether said sleeve be in an advai'iccd or retarded position.

1f the UHlllg sleeve be placed in an ad ill) t In ivy . V V gained with a ralche. i(7()il1l-=. ihis ngaget is efiected when the core 51 shown in i 3. oi? the armature 2i} ()C'UPiOS an nately maximum tiux position relathe :auxiliarv pole pieces 20, that is .li when the armature C01". 51 is parm. a allel y disposed to the magnetic axis and extends ,hor zonlally from one pole piece to the pposite one.

mediately the pawl ill; changes with a Oil tooth l? the pole piece are moved with the arnn lure 3 as previo rsly de-c ,ihc magi etic field becomes core '"ii and said irly tllSl laccd and the )ieccs are maintainec. i a relatively ium ti...\t position.

n'tly betore the armature :22) arrives a it at which an ignition is required and the pole pieces 20 have oeen moved the position indicated by broken lines i in Figure o. the pawl in is tripped and he pole pieces 20 are rotated a high speed relatively to the armature 23 into their normal position.

A rapid l'iaiX change is accordingly produced in the armature core 51 and an intense current is generalral in the windings. which attain its peak wiltagre synchronously with the return oi" the pole pieces 20 to their normal posit on and the separation of the contacts and as hroue'l t about hy impact ot' the li n'e h iel 3 will a cam 32. In this manner a powerful induced current is set up in the L ,fi1;(l1'.1' windiiu oi? the armature 2;). and an intensified spark is produced at. the electrodes ol an ignition plug, even when the engine is cranked at a low speed.

iort interval after the return of the i pieces Qt) to their normal loca'ion and when the armature core at has arrived at or about the next maximum {in position the. pawl it; becomes engaged with the succeed inn ratchet tooth 157 on the disc 48. and said p le pieces are again moved forwardlv and ll impelled haclnvardly. and another ellicient spark generated. ihis cycle of operations r peated until an evplosion occurs and the engine accelerates. it then desirable that the ene'ae' mom of the pawl it; with 7 should discontinue, as

the ratchet teeth p. 1- h ;l& mag new attain d a sultici nt speed is ca ahle o rnish ng sparks in the ordinary way.

The pawl 6 may be thrown into an inoperaziv position and secured therein in '2111- ons ways, two of wh ch are illustrated reanon and and in Figure .ried in :1 inn 5'? secured to 1 rowed into or otherwise ipplies pressure to the pawl t d wnwardly, when the links 54: a pasiihned beneath the plane, indicated h broken line Figure l, passing through the axis oi t .cw -l-land the point at which the lions are pivoted on the lever 5:2. and when the links 54: are located. alove plane.

it starting pressure is applied, manually, either directly or indirectly by suitable actuating means as for example. Bowden wire mechanism, to the arm of the lever d5. In this way the links 5st are thrown beneath the plane above mentioned and the pawl 46 is brought to bear upon the periphery of the disc 48 in which position it becomes engaged with the ratchet teeth 4 when said disc is rotated.

When the nie'ine is slowly turning as in cranking: up. the arm 50 contacts with the adjustable slop and the pawl ll is raised from the teeth -las previously de' l scribed. Said. pawl it}. however, is not elevated :nliiciently \vhen cranking up to move the llliim 54: above said plane.

Jpon the engine starting the lever 4:5 is carried rapidly forwards and the arm (it) impacts with sul icient l orce (due to increased speed) zurainst the stop elf) to cause th E over-centering oi the links hi. which now being positicnied above said plane move the pawl 46 into an inoperative position, shewn by broken lines. and retain it therein.

To limit the movement of the pawl illi and lever when the link: are over centred, a stop is provided. Conveniently this stop may be arranged as a pin 59 which is lined to the links 5' and xtends therebetween. This pin no contacts with the upper e id of said lever 52 and in this manner limits the arcuate movement oi the latter. The speed at which said links are overcentred readily adjusted by varying the strength of the spring as will be readily understood.

In the alternative arrangement illustrated in Figure 4-, a locking lever 60 is pivoted on the screw One arm of the locking lever 60 is constructed to form a catch 61, whereas the opposite arm thereof forms a seating 62 for one end of a leaf s n'ing G3, the opposite end of which bears upon the arm of the lever 15 In the operative position the spring 63 throws the pawl 4-6 downwardly upon the periphery of the disc 48, and brings the catch (31 to bear upon the upper side of said pawl. which is thereby lirmly pressed upon said disc and maintained in engagement with the ratchet teeth 17, until released by the stop 4.9.

A notch (it is formed in the end of the pawl 46, and upon a predeteri'nined speed being reached said pawl is sutliciently elevated to permit the catch 61 to become en gaged with the notch (54 as indicated by broken lines. In this manner the pawl 46 and catch 1 become securely interlocked by the spring 63 which is further tensioned when said parts are thrown into an inoperative position.

The speed at which the pawl 46 and catch 61 become interlocked is readily adjusted in. a similar manner to the arrangement previously described, namely by means of a tensioning screw 56 mounted in a lug 57, which in this case is formed integrally with said cap 17.

To enable the pawl 46 and catch 61 to be placed in an operative position a lug 65 is provided on the latter by means of which it may be moved upwardly by direct or in direct manual operation, thereby permitting the pawl 16 to descend into contact with the disc 48.

In Figures 2 and 4 the parts are shewn as arranged for clockwise or right handed rotation, but they may be readily adjusted for the opposite or anticlockwise direction.

To enable this to be effected the pivot screws 41 i and 53 are made alike and they are symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the vertical plane of the magneto. The levers 45 and 52 in Figures 2, and 45 and 60 in Figure 4, may accordingly be interchanged into positions for anticlockwise rotation. The adjustable stop 19 may be reversed end for end, and the lug 57 in Figures l and 2 may be turned to accommodate the tensioning screw 56 to the opposite position of the lever 52.

To enable the spring 2-18 to be adapted for angular displacement of the sleeve 15 in the opposite. sense, the pin 42 supporting the abutment ll is transferred to a corresponding boss 13 formed on the cap 17 on the opposite side of the vertical plate on the magneto and said abutment is mounted on the pin 12 when the latter is retixed.

The spring 38 is re-positioned so as to bear upon the opposite side of the tixed abutn'ient 39, wherein it will be adapted for anticlockwse displacement ot the sleeve 15 and pole pieces 20.

In order to absorb the shock of recoil of the sleeve 15 when returned to its normal position by the spring 38, a recoil spring 66 is positioned between the abutments 39 and 41. This spring is likewise moved so as to be positioned between opposite sides of said abutment when the parts are adjusted for anticlockwise rotation.

In Figures 5 and (5 are shewn means whereby the pawl 46 is automatically caused to function at starting and to become inoperative when the speed reaches a predetermined rate, and to re-commence functioning when the speed falls below that value.

In order that the pawl 16 may have its actions controlled a disc 67 having an annular peripheral extension and an axial boss 69, is keyed to the shaft 22. A second disc 70 is likewise mounted on the shaft 22 and is spaced apart from the disc 67 by the annu lar extension 8 and the boss 69, and said discs (37 and 70 are secured together by a plurality of transverse rivets, screws, or shouldered pins 71.

A pair of said pins 71 are arranged at equal radial distances from the axis of the shaft 22 and are disposed in diametrically opposite positions. Upon this pair of pins 71 and in the space between the discs 67 and 70 are mounted a pair of freely suspended iiyweights 7 2.

These fiyweights 72 are provided with oppositely disposed arms 73, and owing to their configuration, their centres of gravity are positioned in such manner that when t'reely suspended on the pins 71 under the action of gravity, they assume a position indicated by broken lines in Figure (1. In this figure the disc 70 is removed in order that the actions of the flyweights 72 may be more easily followed.

Peripheral openings 74 are made in the annular extension (38 adjacently to the ends of the arms '73.

hen said discs are being slowly rotated as when starting an engine. the arms 73 under the action of gravity take up a position as indicated by broken lines in Figure (3 as they approach pawl 46, and the ends of said arms project through the opening 7st in readiness tor engagement with saidpawl.

As soon as engagement is efi ected with the pawl 46 the inner sides of the tiy'weights 72 facing the boss 69 contact with the latter. and the arms 73 awordingly become locked and ends function as ratchet teeth and the pawl 4:6 and sleeve 15 and pole pieces 20 are drawn forwardly and released when the arm 50 contacts with the stop -15) as previously described.

As soon as an explosion occurs and the engine accelerates the tiyweights T2 are thrown outwardly at quite a low speed by eentritugai action into contact with the annular extension (36, and the arms T3 are simultaneo i moved inwardl through the openings I thereby receding from the range of action of said pawl. The tlyweight T2 and arms 73 then occupy positions as shewn iv the lower tl -Jweight 72 in Figure 6 wherein the remain until the speed reduced to a very low value.

Preferably the livweights T2 are shaped as shewn by broken lines in order to prevent bearing upon the boss ('39. When so made the ends of the arms 73 contact with the trailing ends of the peripheral openings T ll and said arms are more lirmlzv supported and the pins 71 relieved to a great Xtent from straining actions.

In this construction the pivot screw it on the cap 17,

is inserted into a boss 1-) and the pawl 46 supported at its outer end upon a pin To in order that it ma he held clear of said discs a: l said peripheral extension.

For anticlockwise rotatii'in the tljfiweights are inverted end for end on the pin 71, and the screw l4 and pawl l6 are transferred to a boss termed on the cap 1?. The udiustahle stop and said springs and (H13 arranged tor anticlockwise in the manner prcvonslv described.

in Figures 7 and S are shown means whereby the sleeve l and auxiliary pole pieces can he angularl displaced relatively to the armature 23 in opposition to the spring lk and independently of the drivin; r aft 22, thereby enabling currents to be generated in said armature when at rest, and when an engine with which it is connected stationary.

In carr viug out this feature of the inveutiou the hp 1? is provided with a boss 'TT. preferably integrally termed with it; upon which is mounted an arm 78 which is kept in position on said boss by a retaining nut.

Upon the outer end of the arm 78 is pivotally mounted a lever 80 which has one of its arms constructed as a pawl 81 adapted to engage with a notch 82 formed in the cap 17.

To a pin 83 fixed in the arm 78 is connected a rod Si or the like, b v means of which said arm may he part1} rotated.

"on the arm 78 is moved by the in opera: rod S-l in the direction shcwn the arrow '1 Figure 8. The pawl 81' enters into en- 'ageinent with the notch 82, and the cap 1? nd the sleeve 15 are moved torwardl until the arm ot the lever 80 contacts with the stop it). The pawl 81 is thereon thrown out ot engagement with the notch 82 and the spring 218 impels the sleeve 1;) hackwardlv as lietore d scribed.

As he einhc'lore mentioned it necessary. in order that a spark may he reduced at an ignition plug. that the contacts 35 and 36 should lie separated when the generated currents approximately attain their peak voltage 2 inked with the sleeve it SL This is cllected nercinlicmre (l(f (fl'1l tl by mounting said Zllllfi on an end pla e 2 fixed to the sleeve 15.

iflicu said s eeve 17; and pole pieces 20 are aied iiv the pawl 81, the cams 2-52 are 1 moved l'orvards and when released the cams 32 impact lire heel I23 ynclu'onously with it said pole pieces to their norto start an engine from rest, it

' that an explosive gaseous mixit in the engine cylinder which lfll ition plug connected .4 ve its 7 l'h i .iuter of the nagneto. lt also necessary that the arn'iuture core 7] should occupy a peak voltage position in relationship to said pole pieces 2U before he litter are drawn forwardly h v the pawl til. this occurs when a piston ol' the engine i or abou the end ot its con'ipr(. ssiou Joke.

ltssiuning these conditions to he fulfilled.

the pole pieces 20 are drawn forwardly into a maximum l'illX position relatively to the armature Q3, and upon release of said pawl ill they are rapidly returned to the p iak "oltage position. therein causing a rapid 1." change in the arnature core 51 and ng the generation of a powerful curin the armature windings, which is .ltaneousl interrupted by impact of one ie cams 32 as it returns to its original on. with a lihre heel 33 of the contact er lever S-l. intense sparl: produced at the igniplug in this wa which explodes the h -eous nutlure in the c vlinder and the engine starts. If this spark tails to exp ode the mixture said sleeve 15 and pole pieces 20 are again drawn forward and another spark is produced and on until ignition occurs.

in explosive mixture may he induced into the cylinder h v turnii r the engine with the ignition switched oth or in other known manner. or a residual explosive mivture remaining in the C \lliltltl' wlen the engine previousl ceased running may he used for the purpose.

To enal'ile the pole pieces "20. to he displaced in: manual operation in an anticlocklill) wise direction the lever 80 is turned end for end on its pivot and the arm 78 is moved to allow said pawl 81 to engage with a corresponding notch 82 on said cap 17. The stop 4-9 is changed as indicated by broken lines in Figure 8, and the springs 38 and 66 are transferred as hereinbel'ore described.

Advance and retard timing movement of the operative cams 32 are performed in the usual manner by a timing lever 85 COHHGCtBt by suitable linkage (not shewn) to a mannally operated control.

The sleeve and pole pieces 20 being mechanically linked to the cams 32 will move syncl'irononsly with the latter during the advance and retard movements thereof.

It therefore becomes necessary to provide means whereby said sleeve 15 and pole pieces 20, can be moved by the pawl 46 independently of the timing lever and linkage (not shown) by which the latter is operated.

To enable. this to be effected the lever 85 is attached to or formed integrally with an annular member or ring 86 which is mounted upon the sleeve 15 and shewn in Fig ure 1.

The lever 85 is furnished with a lateral lug 87 which contacts with a projecting boss 88 formed on or fixed to the extension 16 of the sleeve 15. i

The spring 38 normally maintains the boss 88 in contact with the lug 87 and accordingly during timing movements the lever 85 and linkage connected therewith move the sleeve 15 in one direction in opposition to the spring 38. lVhen the lever 85 is moved in an opposite direction said spring compels the sleeve 15 to follow said lever as will be readily understood.

On account of the loose or non-rigid connection above described between the timing lever 85 and the sleeve 15, the pawl 46 or 81 is enabled to move said sleeve independently of the timing lever 85, and to displace the boss 88 into the position indicated by broken lines in Figure 3.

The means described in the foregoing for intensifying the sparks generated by a magneto when an engine is being started, being largely disposed within the machine the latter may be easily constructed to comply with ordinary standard dimensions, and it may be readily installed on an engine arranged to accommodate a standard magneto.

The operative members take no part in d rivlng the magneto and are only connected with the driving elements thereof at start ing. The armature shatt on the magneto is connected directly with the driving shalt on an engine in the ordinary Way, and no relatively displaceable members are interposed between said shaft as in the case of an impulse starter coupling. The spring 38 may he more lightly constructed than that employed in an impulse starter coupling, as it is not subject to torsional vibrations and does not transmit a driving torque. The recoil on the sleeve 15 is accordingly less violent than the impulse given to the armature when an impulse. starter coupling is used, and as the sleeve and the parts thereon can be lightly constructed its inertia is less so that risk of breakage is minimized. Even if fracture of the operative parts should occur the n'iagneto may still function in the ordinary way and without disturbing its tin'iing relatively to the engine.

The invention has been described with ret erence to an armature 23 of special construction, having primary windings 89 and secondary windings 90. and having at one end a condenser housing 91 and at the opposite end a distril'iuter rotor 92 which co-operates with a distribnter stator mounted on the cam cage but it may be applied to a nragneto ha 'ing an armature of ordinary shuttle or H construction, or other type of armature as will be readily understood.

I claim:

1. A magneto having a timing sleeve eX- tending through it and projecting beyond its opposite ends, a releasable element on the tin'iing sleeve, a coacting element adapted tor eng gement with the releasable ele ment to partially rotate the timing sleeve, a spring opposing the partial rotation of the timing sleeve, and a lixed member adapted to disengage said elements when the timing sleeve has been moved into a predetermined retarded position.

A magneto having a timing sleeve extending through it and projecting beyond its oppos te ends, a releasable element on the timin sleeve, a coacting element adapted for engagement with the releasable element to partially rotate the timing sleeve, a. tired member adapted to disengage said elements, a spring opposing the partial rotation of the timing sleeve and adapted to restore said sleeve to its initial position upon disengagei'nent of said elements, means tor absorbing the recoil oi the itllil timing sleeve.

3. A magneto having a timing sleeve extending through it and projecting beyond its opposite ends, pole pieces in the timing sleeve ada iited to move in contact with magnetic elements oi opposite polarity, an armature rotatively mounted in the timing sleeve, primary and secondary windings on the armature, an interrupter, interrupter cams on one end of the timing sleeve. :1 releasable. element nd a. spring on the op posite end of said. sleeve. a reacting clement adapted to engage the releasable element to partially rotate the timing sleeve in opposition to the sprii and a stationary member adapted to disengage said elements.

ed to engage the pawl to partiallv rotate the timing sleeve, and a stop on the body-casting tor disengaging the pawl and toothed ratchet members.

13. A magneto having a body-casting, a timing sleeve extending through the bodycasting and beyond the ends thereof, a driving shatt extending out ardly from the timing sleeve, a pawl on said sleeve, discs rotating *ith the driving shaft, ratchet members pivoted between the discs on opposite sides of the driving sha'it, means for positioning the pawl to he engaged by the pivoted ratchet members to angularly displace the timing sleeve, an adjustable stop on the body-casting for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet members at the limit of the angular displacement of said sleeve, and means tor moving the ratchet members into operative and inoperative positions.

14:. A magneto having a body-casting, a 'iming sleeve extending through the bodycasting and beyond the ends thereof, a pawl on the tin'iing sleeve, a driving shaft extending outwardly from said sleeve, discs rotating with the driving shaft, freely suspended tlvweights oppositely pivoted on and rotatable with the discs, ratchet arms on the flyweights adapted under gravity to be positicned to engage the pawl and under centrifugal. action to reeede into inoperative positions, and an adjustable stop on the bodycasting for disengaging the pawl and ratchet arms.

l5. It magneto having a body-casting, a timing sleeve extending through the bodycasting and beyond the ends thereof, a pawl on the timing sleeve, a driving shat't extending outwardly from said sleeve, a pair of d cs mounted on the driving shaft and spaced apart by an annular extension and an axial boss on one of the discs, freely suspended liyweigbts mounted on and between the discs. oppositely disposed peripheral openings in the annular extension, ratchet arms on the tlvweights adapted under gravty to project outu-ardly through the pe- -ipheral openings to engage the pawl and der centrifugal action to recede inwardly hrou rh said opening-. into inoperative poitio s, and an adjustable stop on the bodycastnig tor disengaging the pawl and ratchet arms.

16. A magneto having a lmdy-casting, a timing sleeve extending througl'i the bodyczn-iting and beyond its opposite ends, a pawl on the timing sleeve, a driving shattextending outwardly from said sleeve, a pair oi discs mounted on the driving shaft and fixed thereto and to each other, an annular chamber between the discs, treelv suspended tiyweights pivotally mounted in the annular chamber, weighted portions on the tlvwcights having their outer edges arcual'ely shaped and ot' corresponding radius to the inner periphery of the annular chamber, peripheral o enings in the annular chan'iher, ratchet arms on the flyweights ada all-ed for engagement with the pawl and to be moved through the leripheral openings into operative and inoperative positions b said weighted portions, and an adjustable stop fixed to the body-casting for disengaging the pawl and ratchet arms.

17. A magneto having a. body-casting, a timing sleeve extending through and beyond the ends ot' the body-casting, a pawl on the timing sleeve, a driving shat't ext-ending outwardly from said sleeve, a pair of disctired to each other and to the driving shaft, annular chamber between the discs, freely suspended fiyweights pivotally mounted in the annular chamber, ratchet arms on the flyweights adapted for engagement vith the pawl, oppositely disposed peripheral openings in the annnlar chamber having their trailing ends termed as supports for the ratchet arms when the same are engaged with the pawl, and an adjustable stop fixed to the body-casting for disengaging the pawl and ratchet arms.

18. A magneto having a timing sleeve extending through it and beyonn its opposite ends, a releasable element on the timing sleeve, a coacting element adapted for engagement with the releasable element to partially rotate the liming sleeve in one direction, a timing member adapted independently to partially rotate the timing sleeve in the same direction, and a spring opposing the partial rotation or? the timing sleeve by said elements and by the timing member and adapted to rotate said sleeve in the opposite direction.

19. A magneto having a body-cast timing sleeve extending through the bodycasting and beyond the opposite ends thereof, an interrupter, interrupter cams on one end of the timin" sleeve. a pawl on the opposite end of said sleeve, a driving haft, ratchet members on the driving shaft adapted for engagement with the pawl to partially rotate the timing sleee in the direction of rntation of said shalt, a tii'uing lever pivoted on the timing sleeve and adapted independently 'to partially rotate said sleeve in the same direction, a spring on the timing sleeve positioned between movable and .zzed abutments and opposing the partial rotation of the timing sleeve by he pawl and ratchet members and by the timing lever and adapted to rotate said sleeve in the reverse direction, and an adjustable stop Fixed to the body-casting for disengaging the pawl and ratchet members.

20. A magneto having a body-casting, a timing sleeve extending through the hodv casting and beyond the ends thereof, a pawl on the timing sleeve, ratchet men'ibers at apted to engage the pawl to rotate the timing lilo ise

timing lever and adapted to rotate the timing sleeve in the reverse direction, an (1 an adjustable stop on the boclycasting for dis l0 engaging the pawl and ratchet members.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

ARTHUR GEORGE LLOYD NElGHBOUR. 

